Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Located in the Pickrell Building, erected in 1885. In 1905, part of the building was converted into the Bijou Theatre, which was later renamed Crystal Theatre. It suffered damage from a fire in 1917, and was closed in 1929.

In 1937, it was remodelled in an Art Deco style and was re-opened as the Plaza Theatre, operated by Fox Theatres. In 2007 it was remodelled as the Crystal Plaza Theatre. This theatre looks to be in great shape. By 2013 it was operating as the Plaza Grill & Cinema

Boller Bros designed the Ottawa, KS, PLAZA Theatre, the Lawrence, KS, GRANADA Theatre, and the Oklahoma City, OK, PLAZA Theatre. Original facades on all three of these movie houses were very similar, almost identical.

The Ottawa PLAZA Theatre has been reopen and is under new managment they have restored the outside and neon along with remodled inside. I am not sure of the date of reopening though. I looks great on the outside however I have not been inside to enjoy this thearte since I was a kid going to the sunday afternoon movie.

The Plaza Grill and Cinema in Ottawa is likely the oldest operating theater in America, having opened in 1905, predating San Francisco’s Victoria Theatre by three years. Here are the most recent Plaza Grill and Cinema press releases.

the title of the “oldest continuously operating
theater” in North America might go to the New
Victory on 42 St. in Manhattan. it opened as
the Theater Republic in 1900 five years before
this theater. the New Victory as operated as
a theater of some sort since then -live theater,
films, burlesque, adult films and after being
beautifully renovated back to live shows.